When you move to Boystown, you earn a badge. A badge of being awesome. Everyone in Chicago knows people who live in our ’hood know how to party. It’s kind of what we do. It’s easy when you live here though: There are awesome restaurants (Frog N Snail, Taverna 750), epic clubs (Sidetrack, Roscoe’s), a never-ending supply of beer, and did we mention Market Days?

In fact, it’s so easy to live in B-town, you might find it hard to leave. It’s something that all your friends who don’t live here will remind you of constantly. But they’re also the friends who are going to want to sleep on your couch after having too much fun during a Cubs game or Pride, the LGBT community’s biggest blowout of the year.

Boystown is the triangular area bordered by Belmont Avenue, Broadway and Halsted Street, but this guide covers all of East Lakeview, extending south to Diversey Parkway, east to Lake Michigan and north to Irving Park.

In short, welcome to the party seat of Chicago. You’ll thank us once your hangover has gone away. —Trent Koland

SAVE THE DATES!Mark your calendar for two of the biggest annual Boystown events hosted by the Northalsted Business Alliance.

Chicago Pride FestJune 22-23Arguably the city’s biggest LGBT pride celebration, this two-day fest leads up to the annual Pride Parade on June 24 and is jam-packed with concerts, drag shows, food and fun.

Northalsted Market DaysAug. 11-12Market Days claims bragging rights as the largest two-day street fest in the Midwest. Music headliners for the 2012 fest include Olivia Newton-John and The Pointer Sisters.

Now seems like as good of a time as any to honor Mark Ruffalo. The 47-year-old actor is coming off of an Oscar nomination for his role in “Foxcatcher” and an Emmy nomination for his role in HBO’s “The Normal Heart” and he can be seen this May in possibly the...